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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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Hollinger 

pH8.5 

Mill Run F3-1 955 



E 499 

.7 REPORT 

1st 

Copy 1 

OF THE 



MOVEMENTS AND OPERATIONS 



OF THE 



1ST conn, heavy artillery, 



FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1865, 



AS GIVEN IN THE 



A.NNTJ A^JL. REPORT 



ADJUTANT GENERAL OF CONNECTICUT, 

;f 



APRIL 1, 1865. 



HARTFO RD: 
PRESS OF CASE, LOCKWOOD AND COMPANY. 

1865. 



Head-Quarters 1st Conn. Artillery, ) 
Broadway Landing, Va., March 24th, 1865. S 

Brig.-Gen'l H. J. Morse, 

Adjutant- General State of Connecticut. 

General : — 

Having received the requisite authority from the War Department, 
I have the honor to submit, a3 requested in your circular of February 
last, the following report upon the operations of my regiment during 
the year ending March 1, 1865. 

It has served with a few auxiliary troops all the heavy guns in 
front of Richmond. Being thus on the lines of two armies, its organ- 
ization has been so peculiar, as to render necessary many details and 
some reference to other troops. 

Moreover its experience has been so considerable with the new 
kinds of artillery and of projectiles, that I have added a short state- 
ment of the results of this practical test of modern Siege Artillery, 
which will, I think, possess scientific interest, as well as enhance the 
reputation of the officers of this regiment by whose unusual and often 
laborious efforts, these results have been obtained. 

At the beginning of the year my regiment was stationed in the 
Defences of Washington, holding the seven forts from Fort Scott to 
Fort Ward, on the line south of the Potomac. , 

preparation of the siege train. 

On April 20th, 1864, 1 received a confidential memorandum from 
Major-General Halleck, Chief of Staff, Armies of the United States, 
directing me to organize a siege train. 

I was informed that this memorandum was based upon a project 
drawn up by Brig.-Gen'l H. J. Hunt, Chief of Artillery, Army of 
the Potomac, and that it was intended to order me to report to him 
when the train was brought into use. Its composition, since largely 
increased, was the following, viz ; forty rifled siege guns, (4^-inch ord- 
nance or 30-pdr. Parrotts,) ten 10-inch mortars, twenty 8-inch mortars, 
twenty Coehorn mortars, with a reserve of six 100-pdr. Parrotts. Sub- 
sequently ten 8-inch siege howitzers were added to the list. The ne- 
cessary mortar wagons, battery wagons, forges, etc., were to be provided 
together with the following supply of ammunition : 1000 rounds per 
"un, except the 100-pdrs., which were to have 500 rounds each ; 600 

rounds per heavy mortar, and 200 rounds per Coehorn. 

9. 



All this train was to be afloat at the Washington Arsenal a» soon 
as possible, and twenty siege guns complete with 200 rounds each, were 
to be afloat at that depot by April 30th, without fail. 

Very little of this material was in depot at Washington Arsenal, 
but it was collected from all quarters with great rapidity by the Ord- 
nance Department. About a dozen schooners of about 200 tons bur- 
den were furnished without delay by the Quartermaster's Depart- 
ment. 

I detailed Captain S. P. Hatfield, 1st Conn. Artillery, as Ordnance 
Officer of the train, and placed him at the Arsenal, assisted by 1st 
Lieut. L. W. Jackson, to superintend the loading. 

As the ordnance arrived, it was promptly placed on the schooners. 
The decks were shored up and ten 30-pdr. guns placed amidships 
side by side, resting on skids. Their carriages, platforms, and 3000 
rounds of ammunition complete, were packed in the hold. The masts 
and rigging afforded facilities for loading this material, and rendered 
the schooners far superior to the canal barges used for the siege train 
of 1862. The 10-inch mortars, with 2200 rounds, were loaded on 
one schooner. The 8-inch mortars, with 2300 rounds, together with 
the Coehorn mortars, were loaded on another. The 8-inch howitzers, 
with their carriages, the mortar wagons, platforms and miscellaneous 
articles, filled another. The six 100-pdrs., with 2000 rounds, loaded 
another. The rest of the vessels carried ammunition, etc. This 
material was essentially afloat by May 10th. 

REGIMENT ORDERED FORWARD IN ADVANCE OF THE TRAIN. 

On that date my regiment was ordered forward in advance of the 
train, to report for duty to Major-General Butler, then near Bermuda 
Hundred, Va. We arrived on May 13th, about 1700 strong; but 
349 men were discharged in ten days, on account of expiration of 
term of service. The regiment has since been filled to the maxi- 
mum. 

I had been notified by, General Halleck that if General Butler 
desired it, a part of my train might be sent forward at once. Upon 
landing, however, I found four 30-pdr. Parrotts, and five 20-pdr. Parrotts 
already disembarked, and as other pieces were subsequently received 
from Fort Monroe, this was not judged necessary. 

On May 14th, I was ordered to report to Col. Howell, 85th Pa., 
commanding the line of defenses of Bermuda Hundred. 

My regiment was at once put to work, getting the heavy guns into 
position, making magazines, strengthening the lines, etc., etc. 



5 

On May 16th, the main array fell back to the line of entrench- 
ments. 

On May 17th, General Butler placed me in command of the Siege 
Artillery of his army, then consisting of my regiment and Co. M, 
3d Pa. Artillery, Capt. Korte, serving two 8-inch howitzers, ordering 
me to report direct to his headquarters. 

1st Lieut. W. C. Faxon was immediately detailed by me as Ord- 
nance Officer, assisted by 1st Lieut. C. Gillette. A reserve depot of 
ammunition, to consist of 100 rounds per gun, was established near 
Hatcher's House, and a regular system of supply for the batteries 
was organized. From this date until the arrival of the army of the 
Potomac, in the latter part of June, a heavy artillery fire was kept 
up much of the time, along the lines. 

On May 20th, a strong demonstration was made by the enemy upon 
our position, in which they drove in the pickets, hut were repulsed on 
the left by the artillery fire of the works, and on the right (in woods) 
by the 1st division, 10th corps. 

My guns in position were then the following : 



| 30 pdr. i 20 pdr. 
l'arrott. 1 Varrott. 


8 siege 
Howitzers. 


32 pdr. 
Howitzers. 


24 pdr. 
Howitzers. 


Total. 


Battery " Drake," 
" « Perry," 
" "Anderson," 
« "Pruyn," 


2 
2 


3 
2 

2 
1 


2 


2 
2 


1 


5 
2 

4 
6 


Total, 


4 


8 


2 


1 


17 



The fire of those guns bearing on the point of attack (ten in num- 
ber,) was effective, and contributed much to the easy repulse of the 
enemy. A On May 24th, the rebels made a determined attack upon 
Wilson's Landing, on James River, garrisoned chiefly by colored 



troops 



The mail-boat was stopped, and all the troops on board were landed 
to meet the assault. Among them were six enlisted men of the First 
Conn. Artillery, returning from veteran volunteer furlough. Al- 
though do officer of the regiment was present, these men volunteered 
to serve a 10-pdr. Parrott, then silenced, and did so, so effectively as 
to contribute materially to the repulse of the rebejs. They fired 
about eighty rounds, — some being double-shotted cannistef at about 
200 yards range, — and their gun was the only one not .silenced by the 
enemy. The names of these brave soldiers are Sergt. W. H. H. 





Bingham, Co. G, (since promoted,) Privates W. B. Watson, Co. 
H, James Kelley, (since killed by a shell in front of Petersburg,) 
H. G. Scott, James R. Young, and John Keaton, of Co. I. 

On May 25 th, Co. G, 1st Conn. Artillery, Capt. Osborne, was 
placed, with two 20-pdr. Parrotts, in Fort Converse, on right bank of 
Appomattox river. Subsequently, two 30-pdr. Parrotts were added. 
They did good service in repelling an attack on May 31st, and also in 
occasionally shelling Fort Clifton from an advanced position on the 
river bank. 

On May 26th, Major-General Gillmore was placed in command of the 
whole line. On the 29th, he appointed me his Chief of Artillery, and 
on June 1st, his Acting Chief Engineer. There were at this time, 
beside my siege guns, eight light batteries in Terry's Division, and six 
light batteries, with eight mountain howitzers in addition, in Turner's 
Division. Total, 82 light guns. 

On June 2d, the rebels made a strong demonstration on our lines. 
Previously (on May 21st,) Co. L, 1st Conn. Artillery, Capt. Pride, 
had been placed in the advanced redoubt, " Dutton," then partially 
completed, with two 32-pdr. and one 24-pdr. brass howitzers, and had 
energetically proceeded to put the work in fighting condition. After 
driving in the picket lines on June 2d, the 2 2d S. C. regiment, Col. 
Dantzler, made a determined assault upon this redoubt. It was re- 
pulsed with severe loss by cannister fire, the Colonel himself being 
among the killed, of whom 17 were counted. So demoralized were 
his command, that a Lieutenant and 22 enlisted men surrendered to 
the garrison rather than attempt to retreat under the fire. They were 
brought in with their arms, by a detachment of Co. L, 1st Conn. 
Artillery, and some dismounted cavalry serving as infantry supports. 

On June 4th, a platoon of Co. H, 1st Conn. Artillery, with one 
30-pdr. Parrott, with Ashby's battery of four 20-pdr. Parrotts, was 
placed under command of 1st Lieut. George Dimock, 1st Conn. Ar- 
tillery, in Battery " Spofford." Subsequently, after several changes, 
this armament was fixed at one 100-pdr. Parrott and three 44-inch 
guns, all served by Lieut. Dimock's platoon. 

On June 14th, the 18th Corps under Major-General Smith arrived in 
advance of the Army of the Potomac, and at once moved on Peters- 
burg. 

On June 20th, Co. I, 1st Conn. Artillery, Capt. Burton, was sent 
with two 30-pdr. Parrotts, (a third subsequently added,) to his front. 

On June 21st, the rebel rams came down near Dutch Gap, and with 
the Howlett's-house rebel battery fired on our fleet. Lieut Dimock 
replied from battery " Spofford," and ultimately silenced the battery. 



SIEGE TRAIN ARRIVED. ORGANIZATION OF THE SIEGE ARTILLERY. 

On June 23d, my regular train arrived from Washington Arsenal, 
in charge of Capt. Hatfield. Lieut. Gen. Grant immediately ordered 
me to report to Brig. Gen. Hunt, Chief of Artillery, Army of the 
Potomac, for the service of that train, detaching such companies from 
the Bermuda Hundred lines as were necessary for serving the guns, 
but not otherwise changing my duties under General Butler. Accord- 
ingly since that date I have held the double position of Commanding 
Officer of the Siege Artillery of the Army of the James, and of the 
Siege Train of the Army of the Potomac. All the heavy artillery 
in front of Richmond has thus been served under a common head, 
and chiefly by the 1st Conn. Artillery. 

Prior to this date, all my ordnance supplies were drawn from Capt. 
A. Mordecai, Chief Ordnance Officer, Army of the James. After its 
arrival, the siege train was supplied by direct requisition upon the 
Ordnance Department, and subsequently, by order of Gen. Grant, the 
procuring of all ordnance supplies for heavy guns for both armies was 
placed under ray charge. 

The following is a full statement of firing done under the former 

system : 



Station on Lines of ; Commaild i n g Officers. 



Bermuda Hundred 



Battery "Anderson,"jMaj. T. S. Trumbull, 
" "Pruyn," 'Opts. Pierce & Gillett, 
" "Perry," ICapt. E. A. Gillett, 
Redoubt "Dutton," " W. G. Pride, 
Fort "Converse," ' " W. F. Osborne, 
Battery "Spofford," Lieut. Geo. Dimock, 



Total, 



30 

pdr. 

Parrot 



349 
155 



234 
166 



904 



20 | 4£ in. 

pdr. Ord. 

Parrot! Gun. 



32 pdr. 
How- 
itzer. 



353 
24 



10 



24 pdr.; Total 
How- No. 
itzer. R'nds. 



157 



G6 



825 



19 I 157 i 



727 

209 

16 

223 

587 
209 



1971 



My first duty, upon the arrival of the train proper, was to establish 
a suitable depot. After due examination, Broadway Landing on the 
Appomattox river was selected, and three substantial wharves were 
built. My orders were to keep the material afloat, and this has been 
scrupulously done, no ammunition even being unloaded except to put 
upon the wagons. 

. Maj. Gen. Butler established a telegraph office at the Landing for 
the service of the train, and gave me a detail of two companies of the 
138th Ohio N. G. for ordnance duty. They were relieved on July 
15th by two companies of 37th New Jersey Vols., which on August 



28th were replaced by a detachment of one hundred men of the 11th 
Conn. Vols, under command of Capt. Kraszynski, relieved in its turn 
on Nov. 25th by Co. M, 3d Penn. Artillery, under command of Capt. 
Korte. 

Brig. Gen. Ingalls, Chief Quartermaster, Armies in the Field, sup- 
plied a tug and a train of fifty wagons, with a promise of farther trans- 
portation when required. Beside these wagons, the four artillery teams 
of Capt. Korte have been habitually used. This battery was organ- 
ized by Gen. Butler for the purpose of moving all his heavy guns, its 
regular armament being two 8-inch siege howitzers, which themselves 
would hardly require transportation other than that furnished by the 
Quartermaster's Department. Capt. Korte has been eager for service, 
and much benefit has been derived from this organization. 

Lieut. Col. N. L. White was appointed by General Butler, Acting 
Inspector General of my command on June 29th, and besides his other 
duties, has discharged the functions of that office in a thorough man- 
ner. 

Capt. S. P. Hatfield, was placed in command of the depot, assisted 
by 1st Lieut. W. C. Faxon and 1st Lieut. C. Gillette all of 1st Con- 
necticut Artillery; Capt. Hatfield had commanded a siege battery 
during a part of the Peninsular Campaign of 1862, and had been 
Ordnance Officer of my brigade in the Defenses of Washington for 
more than a year. To his high professional attainments and ener- 
getic character, and to the zeal and ability of his assistants, the excel- 
lent administration of his department during the campaign, is to be 
attributed. 

The general system for the service and supply of the batteries was 
the following. The companies and parts of companies serving the 
batteries situated within convenient distances, were placed under com- 
mand of afield officer of the 1st Connecticut Artillery, who received his 
orders as to firing from the local commander. In other respects he 
received his orders from these head-quarters. The battery comman- 
ders forwarded daily to their Majors reports showing the amount of 
ammunition on hand at last report/ Amount received during the 
twenty four hours, amount expended, and amount remaining on hand. 

These reports were collected by orderlies from my head-quarters, and 
usually reached the depot about noon. A train was at once fitted out to 
supply the deficiencies below a certain number of rounds (usually one 
hundred per gun or mortar) ordered to be kept in the field magazines. 
These trains reported to the field officers, already informed by tele- 
gram of their destination and time of starting, and w r ere conducted 



after dark under their direction to their proper batteries. Although 
some 1100 tons of ammunition, hauled an average distance of nearly 
seven miles by wagon, have already been fired during the campaign, in 
no single instance has a battery failed to be amply supplied for ordi- 
nary or even extraordinary demands, and in no case has a useless 
accumulation of ammunition occurred. • 

The question of responsibility for ordnance property, so difficult of 
convenient adjustment, has also been very simply settled for the siege 
train. The whole material remains charged to the Ordnance Officer. 
Memorandum receipts, which are destroyed when the property is ac- 
counted for to him, being only required from battery commanders. 
No time is thus expended upon unnecessary papers which with the 
constant transfers of ordnance from one battery to another would 
have entailed great labor upon company commanders, had the usual 
system been adopted. 

Knowing that the rations likely to be drawn from the neighboring 
Commissaries of subsistence would be inferior to those which would 
be supplied by an independent organization, I appointed my Regi- 
mental Quartermaster Lieutenant (now Capt.) G. P. Mason, 1st Conn. 
Artillery, A. A. Q. M. and Jf. A. C. S. and directed him to supply / 
the command. This he has done to perfection with a train of only 
17 wagons. Although the line has often exceeded fifteen miles in 
length, the water transportation has enabled him to get his supplies 
and forage to the depot without hauling, and his own good judgment 
and energy have done the rest. 

Advantage has been taken of the comparative stability of the com- 
mand to have all the regimental sick properly cared for by Surgeon 
S. W. Skinner, 1st Connecticut Artillery, who has organized one of 
the best field hospitals I have ever seen. The patients have varied 
from thirty to seventy in number. By avoiding the sending of those 
lightly diseased, to General Hospital, much has unquestionably been 
done to keep up the numbers of the command. The comforts of the 
patients have been quite unusual for the field, owing to the attention 
of the Surgeon in charge, and to the efforts of Chaplain S. F. Jarvis 
1st Connecticut Artillery, who has actively exerted himself in their 
behalf. 

Asst. Surgeon J. S. Delavan has devoted himself to the sick of the 
regiment in the batteries in front of Petersburg, and Asst. Surgeon 
N. Matson until broken down by his exertions, to those in the com- 
mand on the lines of Bermuda Hundred. Although so much scat- 



10 

tered, I believe few troops have enjoyed as good medical care during 
this campaign as mine. 

For the prompt and accurate transaction of the various office work 
of the command, I am indebted to Capt. B. P. Learned, 1st Connec- 
ticut Artillery, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. 

The following changes have been made in the organization during 
the campaign. On June 28th, Companies A and H, 13th N. Y. Ar- 
tillery under command of Capt. Wm. Pendrell, were assigne;! to my 
command by Major-General Butler. They were placed in the lines of 
Bermuda Hundred. Ten Companies of the 4th N. Y. Artillery 
Lieut. Col. Allock, Commanding, aggregate 1072 men, were added 
by Gen. Hunt on July 14th. On the loth, I placed Company A, Capt. 
McKeel, on duty at the siege train depot, and on the 29th Co. M. 
Capt. Morrison, on the same duty. Three companies, as shown 
in the table below, served batteries, the rest of the regiment did excel- 
lent service in making gabions, fascines, magazines, and in construct- 
ing some of the siege batteries. They were detached on Aug. 4th. 
On Oct. 16th, I was ordered to report, for my command of the Siege 
Artiller}', Army of the James, to the Officer commanding the lines 
of Bermuda Hundred, instead of direct to General Butler as heretofore. 
On Nov. 15th, the 3rd Connecticut Independent Battery, commanded 
by Capt. Gilbert, was temporarily attached to my regiment by an or- 
der from the War Department. It was placed on duty with siege 
guns in the lines of City Point. On Dec. 17th, Companies E and G, 
3rd Pennysvania Artillery, commanded by Major F. Von Schilling, 
and stationed at Fort Converse were added to the command. 



BATTLE OF PETERSBURG MINE. 

The organization just described was originally made under a press- 
ure which, owing to the constant demands for siege artillery in front 
of Petersburg, increased its difficulties. The batteries and the am- 
munition were hauled an average distance of nearly eight miles, over 
roads extremely dusty but otherwise good. The following table 
exhibits the amount of siege artillery, with the corresponding dates, 
put into position preparatory to the explosion of the mine on the front 
of the 9th Corps on July 30th. 



11 

The designations of the batteries refer to the official sketch of the 
line prepared on September 13th, 1864, by Major Michler, Chief 
Engineer, Army of the Potomac, 



Date. 












... 


1864. 




Company 




Com'dg Officer. 


Armament. 


Locality and Remarks. 


June 20, 


"I," 


1st Conn. 


Art'y, 


Capt. Burton, 


3 30-pdr. Parrotts, 


Battery 4. 


" 24, 


■'S, 


) u 




" Brigham, 


4 " " 


" 1. 


" 24, 


"iv 


u 




Lieut. Jackson, 


4 8-inch Mortars, 


" 10. 


■" 25, 


"D, 


i it 


M 


( '• Lincoln, 
I " Williams, 




(3 to Battery 9. 










5 Coehcrns, 


j 2 to " near 














(*ert McGUrray. 


« 27, 


>'F, 


1 tt 


it 


Capt. Bow, 


( 3 3">-pdr. Parrotts, ) 
[ 4 8-inch Mortars, ] 


Battery 5. 














| To assume command 


" 27, 








Maj. Trumbull, 




I of Batteries on line of 
U8th Corps. 


" 30, 


"B, 


> M 


X 


Capt. Brooker, 


6 4^-inch Guns, 


Battery 17. 
( To assume command 


-July 6, 








" Brccker, 




< of Batteries on line of 
( 9th and 5th Corps. 


" 6, 


"A, 


) It 


" 


" Gillett, 


4 8-inch Mortars, 


Iu front of Battery 14. 


•*' 8, 


"G, 


) it 


u 


Lieut. Sargent, 


2 8-inch Mortars ( 


Near Battery 11. 


" 9i 


"G, 


? it 


** 


" Andrews, 


5 Coehorns, 


« '« 12. 


" 9. 


"G, 


> tt 


" 


Capt. Osborne, 


1 13-inch Mortar, 


On R. R. near Battery S 


•" 25, 


"M, 


n tt 


" 


" Pratt, 


6 4i-inch Guns, 


Fort Morton. 


* 28. 


"K, 


'4thN.Y. 


Arfy. 


" Gould, 


6 Coehorns. 


Near B-ittery 11. 


*' '-'8, 


"0,' 


' 1st Conn. 


u 


" Pierce, 


10 10 inch Mortars, 


Near Fort Kice. 


" 28, 


"A,' 


1 (s 


" 


Lieut. Patterson 


6 8 « 


Near Battery 20. 


" 29, 


"LI. 


' 4th N. Y. 


«< 


' apt. Brown, 


6 4i " Guns, 


Fort Sedgwick. 


" 29, 


"cy 


* 4 


(1 


Lt. Mcpherson, 


6 Coehorns, 


In front of Battery 15. 




Total, 


81 Pieces. 





From the time of going into position until the explosion of the 
mine, on General Burnside's front, the fire of most of these batteries 
was incessant, and their practice was all that could be desired. 

On July 30th the mine was sprung at four hours, forty-five min- 
utes A. M., and a heavy cannonade was instantly opened and con- 
tinued until about ten hours, thirty minutes A. M., when it gradually 
ceased, the assault of the Infantry having failed, and the attack being 
discontinued. The part assigned to the Artillery, to keep down the 
fire of the enemy upon the flanks of the column of attack, and to 
keep back his reinforcements, was successfully executed. 

This battle was probably the first in which spherical case from 
heavy mortars was used. The expedient, putting thirty 12-pdr. 
canister shot under the bursting charge of the ten inch shells, was 
of great utility, their steady fire keeping quiet the most dreaded 
flanking batteries of the enemy's line. 



3 



12 

The following table exhibits the amount of fire of the different 
batteries under iny command during the battle, and also during the 
entire siege up to July 31st. 



30C/ 



Batteries. 


Total firing to July 31st. 


Fire during battle of July 30- 


(See preceding table for 


.— , o 


.=1 
o 


J3 C 


a z 


*£ 


c 
u 
o 


g^ 




Mi 


J2 >I 


_ u 


B 

a 

o 


Armament and Com- 


.S c 


.5 *- 


■S ~ 


Ht, 




£.!" 


.S c 


.St 


.tt: 


C *j 




manding Officers.) 


833 


^So 


CO— <= t~ 


cc S 


o 


65 


^^3 






coS 


o 


No. 1, 








Near No. 3, - 






45 












19 








No. 4, 


1361 












176 












No. 5, - 


21 If. 








2197 




?06 








174 




No. 9, near Ft. McGilvrav, 












1776 












131 


No. 10,- 










2145 












337 




Near No. 11, 










7023 


?,71 










136 


267 


Near No. 12, - 












1507 












334 


Near No. 14, 










836 












TO9 




Fort Morton, - 




331 












331 










Near No. 15, 












315 












8T5 


Near No. 17, - 




534 












216 










Fort Kice, - 








360 












360 






. / Near No. 20, - 










217 












217 




Fort Sedgwick, 




-Wfr 












300 










//ts/ 


4310 


1060 


45 


360 


6418 


3869 


447 


847 


19 


360 


1123 


1037 



7£ 



7/ 



/^^> 



• The aggregate number of rounds fired in front of Petersburg up to 
July 31st, was thus -1 6,068 - rounds, amounting to about 300 tons, and 
during the battle of July 30th, 3,833 rounds, amounting to about 75 
tons. 

The firing on the Bermuda Hundred lines between the arrival of 
the siege train and July 31st, nearly ceased, amounting only to nine- 
teen 10-inch mortar shells, six 4^-inch shells, and three 20-pdr. Par- 
rott shells. 

Thus the entire expenditures from the opening of the campaign to 
July 31st, was i-Q^QOr * rounds, amounting to 325 tons. 

At 11 : 35 P. M., July 30th, 1864, 1 received a telegram from Gen. 
Hunt, to move with urgent haste certain siege ordnance and siege 
material from the batteries at Petersburg to my depot at Broadway 
Landing on Appomattox river. The following table exhibits what 
was moved. The distances arc accurately taken from the engineer 
maps of the Army of the Potomac. It will be seen that the mean 
distance per piece, exactly computed, is eight miles. 



13 



Name of Battery 

(See sketch by M;ij. 

Michler, dated Sep. 

13th, 1864.) 



Armament. 



Fort Sedgwick, 
Near Battery 20, 
Near Fort Bice, 
Battcrv 17, - 
Near Battery 18, 
Fort Morton, 
Near Battery 14, 
Battery 4, - 
Battery 1, 



Distance 
Distance: for Qne 

(Miles.) (M)les) 



6 4Hnch Guns, 
6 8-inch Mortars, 
10 10-inch Mortars, 
6 4J-inch Guns, 
6 Coehorns, 
6 4J-inch Guns, 
4 8-inch Mortars, 

3 30-pdr. Parrotts, 

4 30-pdr. Parrotts, 



Total, - 
On R. R. near Bat- 
tery 3, - - 



Total, 



9.3 
9.1 
8.5 
8.0 
8.8 
8.0 
8.2 
5.4 
4.0 



51 
1 13-inch Mortar, 



52 



55.8 
54.6 
85 
48.0 
52.8 
48.0 
32.8 
16.2 
16 

409.2 



Remarks. 



5th Corps front. 

5th " " 

5th " " 

5th " " 

5th " " 

9th " " 

9th " " 

18th " " 

18th " " 



Sent 6 miles to City Point 



The seven siege guns, etc., in Batteries 1 and 4, were moved by 
transportation— light artillery teams and wagons— furnished by Col* 
Piper, Chief of Artillery, 18th Corps. 

The 13-inch mortar, which was served on a railroad truck car 
made so strongly as to resist the shock of firing, was drawn to Crty 
Point by a locomotive. The rest of the material was moved by the 
four artillery teams of Capt. Korte, and by a train furnished by Gen. 
Ingalls, as follows : my regular train, 50 wagons ; an extra train of 60 
wagons, furnished for contingencies arising from the battle, upon my 
requisition on July 30th ; and an extra train of 60 wagons and' 18 
eight-mule teams furnished at 8 : 30 A. M., July 31st, in response to 
a "telegram of mine dated 1:35 A. M. of that date. Total, 170 
wagons and 22 teams. 

The orders to move the material were received by. me at 11 : 35 
P. M., July 30th. By the aid of the telegraph, matters were so well 
arranged that the trains began arriving at the depot at daylight of 
July 31st, and continued to do so as fast as they could be unloaded, 
up to 2:30 A. M. of August- 1st, when the last was received, — total 
period occupied in removal, 27 hours. 

The material was all brought in Government wagons, except the 
guns and the 10-inch mortars, the latter of which were loaded on 
mortar wagons. The rebels did not discover the movement, although 
many of the batteries were in the very front of our line. The aggre- 
gate weight transported was 225 tons. 

The material was shipped as fast as unloaded. By noon of August 
1st, 36 hours after the first telegram, everything was afloat. 

The labor at the depot was performed by two companies of the 4th 



14 

N. Y. Artillery, and six companies of the 37th N. J. Volunteers, — the 
latter working two at a time, — aided occasionally by the companies of 
1st Conn. Artillery who had served and moved the batteries. 

Three wharves were used, which were at this date mere crib gang- 
ways. 

The very unusual promptness of this movement was due, 1st, to 
the facilities furnished by the telegraph ; 2d, to the ample transporta- 
tion furnished by Gen. Ingalls ; 3d, to the intelligence and energy of 
Captain (now Major) Brooker, 1st Conn. Artillery, commanding tho 
batteries on 5th and 9th Corps front; of Major Trumbull, 1st Conn. 
Artillery, commanding the batteries on 18th Corps front; of Lieut- 
Col. White, 1st Conn. Artillery, Acting Inspector-General; and of 
the officers commanding the batteries. 

Everything was brought away, — artillery, ammunition, implements, 
platforms, mantlets, — nothing was damaged or lost. To Capt. Hat- 
field, 1st Conn. Artillery, my Ordnance Officer, the credit is due for 
the rapid loading of so much material oa transports. Thus ended th» 
first period of the siege. 

SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONS IN FRONT OF RICHMOND. 

At this date I had thirty-three (33) guns and mortars in position 
on the Bermuda Hundred lines, and twenty-nine (29) in front of 
Petersburg. The following table exhibits the modifications, which 
occurred during August, September and October, in both armies. 

It is inserted to give an idea of the amount of work constantly 
called for in addition to the firing. 

Later changes can not properly be reported at present. 



15 








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18 

The following table exhibits the transfers of Companies serving the 
Siege Batteries, during the three months considered, — when moved 
without guns. It moved with guns, the changes of station appear 
in the preceding table. Later transfers cannot properly be made 
known. 





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>ned at Depot. 

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Co. K, 4th N. Y. Art., near Bat. ] 
ved Co. I, at Battery 10, Peters 
at Ft. Converse, rel'd Co. M, 4tl 
d in com'd of all Siege Art. in fro 
ved Co. H, at Battery Sawyer. 
Maj. Trumbull, at Petersbui 
Co. B, at Dutch Gap, 
Co. C, at Battery Burpee, 
Capt. Brook er, at Petersbur 
Co. F, at Battery 5, ■« 
Co. F, at Battery 4, « 
Co. I, at Fort Converse. 
Co. B, at Battery Burpee. 
Co. E, at Battery Pruyn, 
Co. K, at Battery Sawyer. 
Co. G, near Bats. 11 & 12, 
Co. L, at Redoubt Dutton. [ 
Co. D, at Bats. 9 & 10 & near Ft. 
ved Co. K, at Battery Anderson 
Lt. Col, W T hite, Petersburg. 
Co. M, 3d Pa. Artillery, Red 
tferred to Siege Train Depot, 
ved Co. C, at Battery Sawyer, 














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19 

Since the battle of the Mine, the firing in front of Petersburg, and 
near the James River, has been heavy. 

The average weight of iron thrown daily has been, during August, 
5.2 tons ; during September, 7.8 tons ; during October, 4.5 tons ; dur- 
ing November, 2.7 tons ; during December, 2.1 tons ; during January, 
1.6 tons; dux-ing February, 1.1 tons. 

The aggregate number of rounds fired during this period has thus 
been 37,264, amounting to about 793 tons of iron. The total expendi- 
tures of ammunition from the beginning of the campaign to March 
1st, 1865, has beeiv 6o,0flo rounds, amounting to 1118 tons of iron. Jj 

Upon the Petersburg lines the firing has been so frequent as to 
render it difficult to select special instances for mention. At all hours 
of the day and night sudden artillery battles have occurred, often in- 
volving the entire line, and demanding the expenditure of many tons 
of ammunition. This has usually arisen from the position of the 
right of our lines, which is necessarily enfiladed from the Chesterfield 
Heights, an advantage that has given the rebel batteries there a strong 
temptation to open fire. It is beyond a doubt that our practice, espe- 
cially in mortars, is superior to theirs, and these fights have thus uni- 
formly terminated in our favor. Upon the occasion of their explod- 
ing a mine near Battery 12, on August 5th, an unusually heavy fire 
occurred, as also at other times when they attempted to interfere with 
the use of our military railroad, or we tried to interrupt their working 
parties, or to stop picket firing by shelling Petersburg. 

General Butler's canal at Dutch Gap, has also been the scene of 
much firing. On Aug. 13th, just after the work began, the rebel fleet 
came down, and in conjunction with the Howlett-house batteries and 
some field guns on Cox's Hill, opened a very heavy concentric fire 
upon the gap from an arc of about 17C°. My James River batteries 
were very active, and finally succeeded in driving off the rams, and in 
silencing the Howlett-house battery so effectually that the experiment 
was not repeated. 

About August 20th, however, the rebels planted some Coehora 
mortars in a secure spot north-west of the canal, within good range, 
and after that time kept up a desultory fire upon the Gap, doing very 
little damage however, owing to their want of skill in serving the 
mortars. Not one in a hundred of their shells have fallen in the 
canal, where good artillerists would certainly have thrown one in five. 

After the advance upon Fort Harrison, the rebel fleet habitually 
lay in the reach near the "Graveyard," in plain sight of our lines, oc- 
casionally firing upon them. A surprise was planned for them by 






20 

General Butler, whose Chief Engineer, Major Michie, erected a bat- 
tery commanding their position. During the night of October 21st» 
three 30-pdr. Parrotts, served by Co. C, 1st Conn. Artillery, and 
Ashby's battery of four 20-pdr. Parrotts, the whole under command 
of Capt. Pierce, 1st Conn. Artillery, were placed in position, and at 
daylight opened suddenly upon the fleet, at a range of about 1500 
yards. The effect was excellent. The rebel papers admit that a gun- 
carriage was hit on the gunboat "Drury," by a shell, which wounded 
five men ; that the smokestack of the ram "Fredericksburg" was con- 
siderably perforated, and six men on her wounded, and that a plate 
was started on one of the ironclads. It is believed from the number 
of times the wooden boat was hit, — sixteen, — that her injuries were 
more serious than admitted. Certain it is that the fleet all steamed 
away as fast as possible, and that the wooden boats have not again 
exposed themselves in this reach. Our batteries were heavily fired 
upon by the rebel land batteries, but no damage was done except to 
wound one man. 

On September 29th, the army of the James crossed James River, 
and the 18th corps captured several guns, thirteen of which were 
brought to the rear, in large measure through the exertions of Major 
Cook and Lieuts. Gillette and Pond, 1st Conn. Artillery. The fol- 
lowing is a list of these guns : Seven iron 6-pdrs., old model ; one 
iron G-pdr., new model, resembling our 3 inch ordnance gun ; one 8 
inch Columbiad ; one 32-pdr. navy smooLh bore ; one army 32-pdr. 
old model, banded and rifled; one 12-pdr. iron gun, made in Rich- 
mond, banded and rifled, throwing a shell weighing about 40 lbs. ; — 
it weighed G700 lbs., and was mounted on a siege carriage. Also one 
30-pdr. Richmond gun, banded like the rest, and like our 30 pdr. 
Parrott, except that the front end of the re-inforce was beveled off. 
It had a swell of the muzzle, and weighed 4700 lbs., — date 1864. 
A caisson for its ammunition was also captured. This gun and the 
captured ammunition was retained for our own use. The other guns 
were sent to Fort Monroe. 

The most important event during January, on these lines, was the 
attempt of the rebel fleet to pass the obstructions in James River, on 
the night of January 23d, when I think it may fairly be claimed that 
the 1st Conn. Artillery prevented a serious disaster. Subsequent 
changes in ordnance render it proper to give the details of the affair. 
Three rams, the wooden gunboat "Drury," a small steam torpedo- 
boat, and perhaps more, passed Fort Brady about 8 P. M., under cover 
of the darkness. They received about 25 shots from the fort, — arma- 



21 

ment two 100-pdr. Parrotts and three 30-pdr. Parrotts. The fort was 
instantly opened upon by the rebel land batteries, mounting abc^it a 
dozen guns, and their fire soon disabled one of the 100-pdr. guns. 
The fleet passed on to a point near the rebel Howlett battery, out of 
range of Fort Brady. My batteries below Fort Brady were three in 
number, — Parsons and Wilcox, — armament one 100-pdr. Parrott, and 
one 10-inch sea-coast mortar; Spoffbrd, armament one 30-pdr. Parrott, 
placed in position about 7 A. M., and Sawyer, armament one 100-pdr. 
Parrott and two 10-inch sea-coast mortars. About 10 P. M., a ram 
succeeded in reaching and began removing the obstructions, receiving 
31 shots from the mortar in Wilcox, and 9 from those in Sawyer, with 
musketry fire from all the spare artillery-men while so engaged. At 
3 A. M., one ram passed the obstructions and anchored about GOO yards 
above Sawyer, where she remained for 45 minutes. This position was 
only exposed to mortar fire ; one shell fired at 60° elevation struck her, 
and she immediately moved up the river; 19 shells had been fired at 
her while lying in this position. During the night 44 rounds from 
the 100-pdr., and 24 rounds from the mortar in Parsons and Wilcox, 
and 3 rounds from the 100-pdr. in Sawyer, were fired at the fleet 
above the obstructions. The darkness prevented the effect of this 
fire from being known. At daylight two rams and the "Drury" were 
discovered aground near left bank, some 1500 yards above Parsons. 
Fire was at once opened from that battery with long percussion shell 
from the 100-pdr. The second shot struck the "Drury," and the 
third exploded her magazine, completely destroying her. The fol- 
lowing table shows the fire upon the fleet after daylight, before it es- 
caped up the river, about noon : 





C 

•T3 

6 

o 

£ EC 


o 
~ 

25 
31 
56 


c 

a 

2 
2 
4 


© = 

CO P_, 

"O ! 

s s 

6227 
62 57 


a 

o 
U) 

c 

C5 

K 

1500 
1S00 
2J00 


Commanding Officer. 


Parsons and Wilcox, 

Spofl'ord, 

Sawyer, 

Total, 


57 

■2\ 
78 


30 

7 
37 


Lt. H. A. Pratt, 1st Conn. Artillery. 
Lt. C. N. Silliman, 1st Conn. Artil'y. 
Lt. E. P. Mason, 1st Conn. Artillery. 



As soon as the rams could get afloat, they retreated out of range 
near Howlett Battery, leaving the torpedo boat aground. About 3 
A. M. on the 25th, they escaped up the river past Fort Brady, receiv- 



22 

Ing a number of rounds in the darkness, several of which struck 
them. 

The ammunition used in this engagement consisted in part of solid 
shot, and in part of shell — percussion and time and case. Unfortu- 
nately the line office, when the rams were aground, was obliqua, and 
the projectiles glanced off without penetrating. Officers on picket 
directly opposite, however, report that the armor was started and par- 
tially ripped off in a number of places. 

During the firing my batteries, especially Fort Brady and Parsons 
and Wilcox, were under a very heavy fire from the rebel land batte- 
ries. Three men were killed in the former, and a large number 
slightly injured from fragments, etc. 

Too much commendation can not be given to Captain Pierce, com- 
manding Fort Brady, and to Lieutenants Pratt, Mason and Silliman, 
commanding the other batteries, for their excellent conduct. The 
total firing including those fired in reply to the rebel land batteries 
was about 50,0 rounds of siege and sea-coast ammunition. Lieut. W. 
G. Ball, 13th N. Y. Artillery, also moved a 20-pdr. Parrott (field 
gun) to the bank of the river and fired 85 rounds at a range of about 
1,400 yards with creditable zeal. 

EXPEDITION TO FORT FISHER. 

At six hours thirty minutes P. M., on January5tli, I received an 
order from General Grant, to embark a siege train which ultimately 
proved to be destined for Fort Fisher. I was to acccompany it, with 
a sufficient detail of artillerymen from my command, and a company 
of volunteer engineers from General Benham's Brigade, and also a 
small detachment from General Graham's Naval Brigade. During 
January 6th, I was waiting transportation, but removed three com- 
panies (Cos. B, G, and L,) 1st Conn. Artillery, from the lines, 
and also two 30-pdr. Parrotts and four Coehorn Mortars. The 
propeller C. C. Leary, 841 tons, reported at 8 A. M. on January 
7th — and my Ordnance Officer at once began loading her from both 
sides with all possible despatch with the Ordnance. They employed 
about 150 men. The propeller Scott, 1086 tons, reported at 3 P. M., 
with 5<»,000 feet of lumber on board. By 8 P. M. she was ready to 
sail with two companies (280 men) and 36 mules. At seven hours 
thirty minutes A. M. of January 8th, the propeller Gov. Chase, 746 
tons, reported ; at noon she was ready to sail with two companies 
("282 men) and 41 animals. During the evening the three steamers 



23 

with ray head-quarters on the Leary dropped down to City Point, 
where I received written orders from Gen. Grant to report to Gen. 
Terry. My command consisted of 20 officers 568 men, 77 animals, 
12 wagons, 1 6 30 pound Parrotts, 20 Coehorns, with 8,000 rounds for 
former and 6,600 for latter, 50,000 feet lumber, etc. etc. We took 
19 days rations, 4 being cooked. "We sailed at daylight of January 
9th, and reached Fort Monroe that evening. On January 10th we 
were detained by a severe storm — but sailed at 8 A. M. of January 
11th — arriving at Beaufort N. C. on the following day in time to join 
the fleet, then starting for Fort Fisher, where we arrived about 5 
P. M. During January 13th we were ordered to remain on board. 

On January 14th I put the Engineer Company on shore, with 
87 animals, rations, forage, etc. The sea was too rough to land the 
guns. The steamer was anchored, and a warp of three inch rope, 
120 fathoms long, was secured to the beach. The men were pulled 
ashore in surf boats, and the animals slung, hoisted overboard, and 
towed ashore by the warp. On the loth the sea was smoother. I 
had brought three launches and a detachment of 35 men of Gen. Gra- 
ham's Naval Brigade, under Lieut. Neilson, to aid in disembarking my 
train. I also received all the assistance required from the Navy ; 
Acting Master, Z. L. Tanner, aided by Acting Ensign L. Pope, both 
of the Rhode Island, took charge of removing the stores, etc. from 
the ship's side to the beach, and labored most faithfully and skillfully 
on January 14th and 15th, to accomplish all that was possible. On 
January loth, three 30-pdr. Parrotts, complete with ammunition, etc., 
another company, the l'est of the animals, the wagons, etc. etc., were 
unloaded. The guns were unloaded in the following manner : — They 
were raised from the hold and slung overboard by usi™ purchases 
from the mast-head, and the yards strengthened by a preventer- 
brace. They were carefully lowered overboard and placed on the 
launch, (one at a trip,) with very considerable risk owing to the roll- 
ing of the ship. The launch was then pulled along the warp to the 
edge of the surf and the gun rolled overboard. It was then dragged 
up by about 200 men pulling upon a rope secured to it. It was a 
glow and dangerous process, and only possible in a very smooth sea. 
The carriages, ammunition, etc. were landed in a similar way. 

Fort Fisher was carried by assault on the -morning of January 6Ve??i njf 
15th, and the disembarkation of my train was at once suspended. It 
has since been sent back to these lines. 

The following is a list of the guns captured in Fort Fisher. 



24 



T t 



Smooth bore Ordnance. 


Rifled Ordnance. 




c "p 

O 5 


3 
Q 


"3 





c v 
O 5 




3 




11-inch Brooks, 
10 " Columbiad, 
10 " S. C. Mortar, 

8 " Columbiad, 
82-pdr., Iron, 
82 " Carronade, 
24 " Iron, 
24 " Coeliorn, Jron,) 
12 " Howitzer, U. S., 
12 " " $>. F., 
12 " Gun, U. S., 

6 " 

6 " " Iron, 
1.5-inch Gun, 
Volley Gun, 


2 
13 
1 
11 
3 
5 
1 
4 
1 
1 
3 
2 
2 


2 

1 
4 
1 
1 

1 
1 


2 i 

i 
12 

i 

1 
1 

60 


8-inch Armstrong Gun, 150-pdr, 

8 " Blakely, 

7 " Brooks' Double Bands, 

6.4-inch Parrott, U. S., 

6.4-inch Brooks' Double Bands, 

6.4-inch Single Band, 

6.4-incli, No Bands, 

5. 8-inch, ' ; 

4. 6-inch, Blakely, 

4.2-inch Parrott", (No. 2,) 

4. 2-inch, Banded, 

3-inch Banded, Richmond, 

3-inch Whitworth, 

2.2-inch " muzzle loader, 


1 
1 

1 
1 
4 
4 
2 
1 
1 
1 

2 
1 
4 


2 

2 
2 

1 


1 
1 
3 
1 
4 
6 
4 
1 
1 
1 
1 
2 
1 
4 


Total, 


49' 11 




24 


7 


31 



Many of the carriages of the guns in good order were disabled. 
Immense quantities of ammunition, ordnance stores, etc. were taken. 



ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY. 

Considering the large amount of firing, the injuries suffered by our 
guns have been unusually small — being limited to blowing off the 
muzzle of a 30-pdr. Parrott about a foot from the face — probably by 
a premature explosion of the shell ; it was cut smooth with a cold 
chisel, and the accuracy of the piece seems not at all impaired ; and 
to the bursting of the 5.8-inch Sawyer gun, which occurred on Au- 
gust 5th, after firing ten rounds. The gun had already been fired a 
large number of times at Fort Monroe. It burst into four principal 
parts — the largest including the trunnions and all in front of them 
remained in its place on the carriage — the next piece, forming the 
bottom of the bore near the breech, fell between the cheeks — the left 
half of the top — which split as usual through the vent, fell upon the 
top of a return of the parapet a short distance from the gun — the 
right half was thrown some 200 yards entirely outside the fort. The 
vent was evidently defective, showing a double cavity, much enlarged. 
The strength of the gun being doubtful, it wa^ fired by quick-match, 
consequently no one was injured. 



25 

The only novelty in the service of the Siege Artillery requiring 
special notice has been the method of mounting the 13 inch Mortar. 
The extreme weight of which, (17,000 lbs.) renders it unmanageable. 
Maj. Gen. Butler conceived the idea of serving it upon a railroad 
car, and ordered one made as an experiment. The first car broke 
under the shock. A second, prepared by the Engineers in charge of 
the Military Railroad, answered its purpose admirably. It consisted 
of an ordinary truck car, -strengthened by additional beams tied 
strongly by iron rods and covered by iron plating. Fired with 14 lbs 
of powder, the mortar recoiled upon the car less than two feet, and 
upon the track some ten or twelve feet. It was a decided success. 
On one occasion three different observers reported that a shell burst 
under a gun and blew it and its carriage entirely above the parapet. 
Certain it is that the mortar was much dreaded by the enemy. 

During the campaign, it has been necessary to conduct certain ex- 
periments, to facilitate the fire of the batteries. Among them was 
the deducing of a table of ranges for the 8-inch Siege Mortar which 
differs materially from the old model in this respect, owing to the sub- 
stitution of the elliptical for the Goraer chamber. The ranges were 
determined with care, and the following table exhibits the result. 



RANGES OF EIGHT INCH SIEGE MORTAR. 
(Model, 1861.) 



Charge. 


Projectile. 


Elevation. 


Range. 


Time. 


Remarks. 


Lbs. oz. 


Shell. 


a 


Yards. 


Seconds. 




s 


u 


45 


360 


8.0 


Ranges obtained 


12 


u 


« 


7*3 


12.5 


from experiments 


1 


a 


a 


1082 


15.0 


conducted near 


1 4 


u 


« 


1412 


17.0 


Petersburg, by the 


1 8 


a 


m 


1741 


18.5 


1st Conn. Artillery 


1 12 


tt 


« 


1985 


20.0 


in Sept. 1804. 


2 


« 


a 


2225 


21.0 





Another experiment was to test a new shell invented by Mr. 
Pevey. It consists of two concentric shells thinner than usual, and 
connected firmly by studs. The open space between is filled with 
small iron balls or incendiary composition. Shells for trial, both 10 
inch and 8 inch were ordered by Gen. Butler, and the result indicated 
by bursting them over water and over a dusty plain was highly satis- 
factory. In my judgment they will break into more than double the 



26 

number of fragments of the ordinary shell, and consequently have 
fully double the effect. They bore the shock without injury, although 
one 1 inch shell was thrown from a Sea Coast Mortar with a charge 
of about seven lbs. of powder. 

Another experiment was to test the light balls furnished for our 8 inch 
Mortars. It was found that on ground of ordinary hardness, no larger 
charge than six oz. of powder, giving a range of only 255 yards, could 
be used without causing the ball to break into fragments from the 
force of its fall. This range is entirely too short for our purposes. 
Possibly by using an elevation less than 45°, the range might be 
lengthened, but in my opinion the balls are not made of sufficient 
strength to be practically useful. 

Other important experiments with new projectiles incendiary, dou- 
ble and triple bursting, etc., have been made, but the results are 
withheld for the present. 

The subject of Mantlets to protect the gunners has received con- 
siderable attention. Those furnished by the engineer department are 
made of rope, five feet by four and one half feet, and about six inches 
thick, weighing about GOO lbs. each. They are excellent for protec- 
tion, but their great weight makes them difficult to handle. In my 
judgment it might be safely reduced by lessening their thickness. 
The penetration in them of an elongated bullet from a Springfield 
rifled musket at 20 paces is less than 3 inches. I had also an oppor- 
tunity to see the effect of a 10-pdr. rifled projectile at 600 yards 
range upon a rope mantlet made at Fort Monroe, and only about 4 
inches thick. The shot was deflected, breaking the lashing of the 
mantlet, and throwing down the pole supports, but was so much 
checked in velocity by so doing as to then knock a man down without 
seriously injuring him. In other cases these thin mantlets have been 
penetrated even by musket balls where the ropes were not closely 
lashed together, but the experience of the campaign has convinced 
me that a thickness of 4. 5 inches is, all things considered, the best 
which can be given them. 

In this connection it may be well to call attention to the fact, that 
we have had great difficulty in drawing heavy guns and supplies 
through the covered ways leading to Fort Sedgwick, owing to the 
sharp curves at the angles. In such places security must in part be 
sacrificed to facility of travel, or great delays may result in moving 
sie^e guns. Our guns have been more than once dismounted in turn- 
ing these corners. 

As most of the magazines have been made under the superintend- 




27 

dence of my officers, it may be well to state that the plan adopted, 
putting them in secure positions and making the chamber entirely be- 
low ground, roofed by heavy logs and covered by dirt about six feet 
thick, has been found to be both simple and safe. Boards have sel- 
dom been used either for the sides or the floor, which is made to drain 
into a barrel sunk near the entrance. The usual dimensions, in the 
clear, have been six feet wide by five feet deep, length to vary accord- 
ing to capacity required. In no instance has one of them been blown 
up, although often hit by the rebel projectiles, and even in heavy 
rains, such as that of August 15th, at Petersburg when several sold- 
iers in the low bottom were washed away and drowned, very little 
loss of ammunition has occurred from leakage. 

The large amount of mortar firing during this campaign has dis- 
closed one defect which should be corrected. The friction primers 
are driven out of the vent with great violence by the explosion, and 
occasion serious danger to the cannoniers. One valuable officer of 
my regiment, Lieut. Andrews, lost the sight of one of his eyes from 
this cause. Another, Lieut. Jackson, had a narrow escape, being 
severely cut on the forehead, while the instances of injury more or 
less serious to enlisted men, will, I think fully amount to a dozen 
The vents should be covered by a cap similar to that used for the 
Whitworth gun, and the line of metal should be permanently and ac- 
curately marked on all Mortars. Moreover what is not the case now 
some convenient hook should be arranged for guiding the lanyard 
into a direction perpendicular to the vent. In other respects I re- 
gard the new Mortars and carriages as vast improvements over the 
old models, in fact, as perfect. 

The siege guns and carriages now in use are generally excellent. 
Much trouble, however, has arisen from the breaking of the new ele- 
vating screws of the 30-pdr. Parrotts, which are ill adapted to their 
purpose. A more general defect, which applies to rifled gam of all 
calibres, is that little or no care is used in their sights. For a sharp- 
shooter who is not expected to fire more than five or six hundred yards 
with his rifle, we supply accurate globe sights and a fine telescope. 
For a rifled gun which is to fire three thousand yards, we give sights 
far coarser than those of any old smooth-bore musket. Rifled artil- 
lery can never accomplish all that it ought, until accurate telescopic 
globe sights are furnished. 

Several precautions to insure rapidity and precision of mortar fire 
have been suggested by the intelligent observation of Capt. Osborne 
Lieut. Jackson, and other officers commanding batteries. Thus a 
4 



28 

wooden-handled steel scraper, made in the shape of a hoe with a 
double edge, — curvature 6.5 inches, — was found to reduce more than 
one-half the time required to serve the 13-inch mortar. Although 
the fuses for this mortar were old and poor, they were made to almost 
invariably burn by driving them gently so as not to shake out the 
composition, and by placing a train of dry powder from the top of the 
shell to the fuse, and another, where the fuse would strike the bottom 
of the bore in rolling out, — both made to remain in place by wetting 
the iron. It was also found that wooden fuses should not be sunned ; 
that the powder should be well stirred in the barrel before firing, and 
that, in inserting the Coehorn shell, its paper fuse should be placed 
near to the top of the bore to insure its ignition. 

We may derive some useful hints from the rebel smooth-bore am- 
munition. Thus : their Coehorn shells are provided with ears, which 
is a great improvement over our system of banding. The interior 
surface of some of their 12-pdr. shells are regular dodecahedrons; of 
others, it consists of an upper and lower pentagon, connected by ten 
equal trapezoids. The effect of both these devices is to cause the 
shell on bursting to divide into twelve pieces weighing about a pound 
each, and thus to secure the maximum effect. It is a decided suc- 
cess, — the former shape appearing to be more uniformly successful 
than the latter. Their system of filling spherical case with iron balls 
is a failure, the weight not being sufficient to render them effective. 

The great problem, — what is practically the best projectile for rifled 
artillery, — has been carefully investigated during this campaign, both 
by requiring full reports of our own firing, and by cai'efully collecting 
all varieties of projectiles fired by the rebels in return. Drawings of 
this collection, and of our own projectiles have been made, and the 
collection itself has been sent to the Military Museum at West Point. 
The following facts as to the rebel rifle projectiles are worthy of 
notice. Their variety is very great, about seventy different kinds 
having been collected. They may, however, be classified into nine 
systems, according to the devices for making them take the grooves. 

The first device is a cupped copper plate, secured to the shell by a 
screw, and held firm by radial grooves, generally seven in number, 
but sometimes six. One sample bears Brooke's name upon the cup. 
It seems to be confined to the heavier guns exclusively, — samples of 
the calibi-es 7 inches, 6.4 inches, and 4.2 inches, alone being collected. 
The projectiles appear to take the grooves well, but their plates are 
often missing, — showing that it would be dangerous to use them over 
troops. 



29 

The second device consists of making the projectiles of wrought 
iron, the bottom cupped like a lead bullet. This is rare, only three 
calibres, 7 inches, 6.4 inches, and 4.62 inches, being collected. It 
seems to be faulty only from its expense. The samples were solid 
shot, apparently designed for firing at iron -clad vessels. 

The third device is a curved copper plate, secured by a screw, and 
held firm by three dowels, made sometimes of three copper projec- 
tions from the plate, extending into holes in the iron base of the 
shell, and sometimes of three iron projections from the base of the 
shell, extending through holes in the plate. The explosion of the 
powder flattens the plate, and thus gives the rifled motion by increas- 
ing its calibre. This system is liable to the objection that the plate 
almost invariably separates from the shell, rendering the projectile 
unfit to be used over troops. It is, however, quite common, samples 
of the following calibres having been collected : 7 inches, 6.4 inches, 
4.62 inches, and 2.2 inches. It is even used to render serviceable, 
projectiles made upon other systems which are failures. 

The fourth system is that of Reed, which closely resembles Par- 
rott's. This is very common, no less than twenty different kinds of 
projectiles being collected. Seven have wrought iron cups, calibres 
6.4 inches, 4.2 inches, 3.0 7 inches, and 3 inches. Eleven have cop- 
per rings, calibres 8 inches, 7 inches, 4.62 inches, 4.2 inches, 3.67 
inches, and 3 inches. The larger samples are rare, but for field guns 
this seems to be the standard system. The different devices for at- 
taching the ring are numerous, and are worthy of study, — one, espe- 
cially, in which the shell apparently never fails to take the grooves' 
and never loses the ring, nor throws off fragments of iron from its 
base, — faults to which most of the other varieties seem liable. 

The fifth system takes the grooves by the expansion of a lead sabot 
It seems to be chiefly confined to large calibres. The lead sometimes 
remains upon the shell, but is very liable to strip. 

The sixth system is that of Mr. Whitworth, whose 12-pdr. guns 
the rebels use considerably. Some of the projectiles are English, and 
some of Rebel manufacture. They have even tried to make shells 
by boring out a cavity in the bolt to the diameter of their usual fuse- 
hole (0.9 inches). This, however, does not contain a sufficiently large 
bursting charge to be of service. 

The seventh system, — which is in common use, — is that of Mr. 
Hotchkiss. Many of these projectiles are evidently of our manufac- 
ture, bearing Mr. Hotchkiss' name and patent stamp. Others have 
no mark, and are without doubt of rebel manufacture. I have such 



30 

samples for calibres 5.2 inches, and 3.3 inches, as well as 3 inches. 
The one of 3.3 inches lias a large wire wound around the middle and 
covered by the lead, which I have never seen in those supplied by 
Mr. Hotchkiss. 

The eighth system is in some doubt. The specimen is one of Mr. 
Schenkl's old model 30-pdr. projectiles, which may possibly have been 
received from our batteries and fired back. It, however, has the char- 
acteristic copper fuse -plug of the rebels, and they evidently must have 
made a sabot for it, — of what material is not known. 

The ninth system is that of the English Armstrong and Blakely 
t9?T- ct9zc£ flanged projectiles, — samples of which were captured at Fort Fisher 
— but none of which have been used on these lines. 

Among the ammunition captured by the 18th Corps near Fort 
Harrison, were several samples of 100-pdr. and 30-pdr. projectiles, 
which I have issued for use to my batteries. 

There has been so much discussion of late as to the merits of the 
different kinds of guns and ammunition now in use in our service, 
that I have decided to report upon certain of our records — remarking 
that it is possible that future firing may modify the results obtained. 

First, as to Endurance. 

The only failures, as already stated, have been the bursting of a 
24-pdr. Sawyer (rifled) — and the blowing off of the muzzle of a 30- 
pdr. Parrott, caused by the explosion of a shell in the bore. The 
latter gun was not destroyed. The face was cut smooth with a cold 
chisel and its accuracy seems not impaired. The following table shows 
the extent of the tests — the record of a few guns showing the largest 
amount of firing being selected. 

9 

100-pdr. Parrott,No. 11, fired 302 times, ] All old guns, fired an un- 



No. 13, fired 533 times, [known number of times, 
No. 15, fired 304 times, f before coming into my 
No. 20, fired 458 times. J possession. 

30-pdr. Parrott, No. 100, fired 1210 times, 
No. 101, fired 1404 times, 
No. 121, fired 970 times, 

No. 255, fired 1487 times, \ A PP arentl y ^injured. 
No. 256, fired 1472 times, I 
No. 259, fired 1392 times, J 



81 



4.5-m. Ord., No. 41, fired 457 times, 
No. 89, fired 578 times, 
No. 96, fired 499 times, / 
No. 97, fired 519 times, 



All rendered dangerous, from 

not being bouched when made. 

► This is a great defect in this 

class of guns, which should be 

J removed. 



8-inch Siege Mortar, No. 20, fired 1530 times, 1 



No. 24, fired 1614 times, I Apparently uninjur- 
No. 25, fired 1521 times, led, — the vents even, 
No. 26, fired 1536 times, 'not showing much 
No. 32, fired 2015 times, wear. 
No. 36, fired 2016 times, 



Second, as to Ammunition. 
The following tables explain themselves. They include February. 



1 




u 


*C3 




DO 


ISus 

■2 IS 




Kind of Gun. 


Projectile. 




t-t 


-2 r3 




Tumbh 

Per Cei 

Service 


Remarks. 








o 


s s 

pi ,r. 

Z.2 


2 o 
o u 

HO 




100-pdr. Parrott, 


Parrott, 


1355 


87 


1268 


1223 


45 0.96 




" 


Rebel, (captured,) 


22 


22 


21 


li 0.95 




30-pdr. Parrott, 


Parrott, 


8596|l738 7218 6924 


294 0.95 




" 


Schenkl, banded, 


178 


56 


122 


70 


52 0.57 




" 


Rebel, (captured,) 


43 


1 


42 


40 


2, 0.95 




4.5-inch Ordnance 


Schenkl, 


2662 


520 


2142 


1767 


375 0.S2 




Dyer, 


1364 


142 


1222 


981 


241 0.80 




u 


Absterdam, (lead,) 


239 30 


209 


65 


144! 0.31 




20-pdr. Parrott, 


Parrott, 


572 67 


505 


432 


73 0.85 




" 


Schenkl. 


49, 49 


46 


3 0.93 




5.8-inch Sawyer, 


Sawyer, (flanged,) 


10 10 


10 


1.00 


Gun burst. 


3.67-inch Sawyer, 


Sawyer, (lead,) 


125l 20 1 105 


81 


24 : 0.77 





32 



The following table tests the fuzes in use. 
ary firing. 



Tt includes the Febru- 













>-. 




&a 


















es XI 


00 


Kind of Fuze. 


— 


"5 


o'S 


2$ -J 


_, 2 

o .3 


I a 


a J* 


if 

- 




s 1 


o 

a 


S3 


r 4> 

J* 


112 


^ 3 

718 


'ft 


C3 


„ „ I Percussion, 
1 arrott S Time, - - 


7649 


2492 


5157 


4327 


0.83 




2822 


662 


2160 


1712 


119 


329 


0.79 




c, , , , I Percussion, 
Schenkl, J Combinatioil) 


2526 


814 


1812 


1506 


79 


227 


83 




359 


210 


149 


83 


22 


44 


0.55 




Dyer. Time, 


296 


94 


202 


143 





59 


0.70 


Absterdam Percussion, - 


236 


48 


188 


99 


27 


62 


0.53 
•fees 0/J 


Tice. Concussion, - 


41 





41 


30 


1 


10 


t, , , ) Percussion, 
Rebe1 ' \ Time, - - - 


7 


6 


1 





1 









38 


6 


32 


9 


8 


15 


0.28 




Sawyer Combination, - 


135 


47 


88 


75 


2 


11 


0.85 




Bormann, - - - - 


706 


218 


488 


359 


34 


95 


0.73 




1.3 inch Mortar, wooden, 


218 


54 


164 


12S 


18 


18 


0.78 




10 inch Mortar, wooden, - 


2.349 


854 


1495 


1206 


231 


58 


0.80 




8 inch Mortar, wooden, - 


12527 1664 


10863 


9557 


815 


491 


087 




Coehorn Mortar, paper, 


1326711706 


11561 


10495 


470 


596 


0.90 





These figures are top simple and convincing to require remark, 
other than to explain that every possible care has been taken to secure 
accuracy. They are taken from the daily reports of the batteries, 
where men are specially detailed under the close supervision of the 
battery commander to note the effect of every shot. If any uncer- 
tainty exists, the shot is entered "uncertain" and is not included in 
the final ratio. I believe that such records have never before been 
attempted in actual service, and therefore regard them as extremely 
valuable. ^ 

CONCLUDING REMARKS. 

The casualties in the Regiment during the year have been one 
officer and twenty-nine enlisted men killed, and four officers and forty 
four enlisted men wounded. Total seventy-eight. The deaths from 
other causes have been sixty-six in number. 

Lieut. Eben P. Hall was killed by a sharpshooter while regardless 
of personal safety he was skillfully directing the fire of his mortar 
battery. Lieut. J. H. Cummings and Lieut. G. L. Turner, refusing 
to leave their exhausting labors under fire until too late, died in con- 
sequence of their devotion to duty. The regiment may well be 
proud that these names appear upon its rolls. 

With a regiment so widely scattered as mine, unusually responsible 
-d«*y devolve upon the subordinate officers. I have every reason to 



33 

be satisfied with the manner in which they have borne the test, and 
with the manner in which the enlisted men have seconded their efforts. 
To Lieut. Col. White I am indebted for cordial support and gallant 
service. Acting as Inspector General on my Staff, and for a time as 
Commanding Officer of the batteries in front of Petersburg, he has 
been the model of a high-toned gentleman. After serving until the 
end of the campaign, about six months beyond his original term, he 
left the army regretted by all who knew him. 

Lieut. Col. Trumbull has highly distinguished himself for ability 
courage and devotion to duty. Entering upon the campaign with 
health much impaired, and placed at first in command of Fort Ander- 
son where he was under fire night and day, he seemed to throw off 
disease by determined will. Transferred to the command of the most 
important line of batteries in front of Petersburg, his only fault was 
in laboring beyond his strength. In October when recovering from 
a severe attack thus engendered, he gave energetic attention to getting 
into position and organizing the artillery on the lines of City Point. 
Few officers have the energy and ability to accomplish what he has 
done. 

Major Cook, during most of the campaign has been in charge of 
the artillery on the lines of Bermuda Hundred, and has well performed 
his duties. 

Major Brookerand Major Ager, after gallant and distinguished ser- 
vices during the summer as battery commanders, have been promoted 
and have energetically entered upon their new duties. /V'" ' 

Where all the Company Comma—hi- iiave so faithfully done their Ujtj't C€?^& 
duty, it seems almost invidious to select names for special mention. 
Almost all have at different times had command of independent 
batteries, and none have failed to efficiently serve them. Some, 
however, have been more fortunate than others in having rare 
opportunities for performing conspicuous services; of this number are 
especially Captains Pierce, Osborne and Pride; also Captains Dow, 
Pratt, Gillett, Brigham, Burton, Lincoln, Twiss, Sargeant, Bannon 
and Dimock ; Lieutenants Jackson, Pratt, E. P. Mason, Patterson, 
O'Brien, Cashin, Odell, Bill, Woodruff, Beers and Silliman. 

The administration of a command so widely separated and so pe- 
culiar as mine, would have been impossible without a staff far more 
efficient than usual. I have already defined their different duties, and 
can only add, that to Capt. Hatfield, assisted by Lieuts. Faxon, Gil- 
lette, Jackson and Westervelt, to Capt. Mason, and to Capt. Learned, 




34 013 702 625 9 



great credit is due for skillful and energetic performance of perplex- 
ing labors. 

Surgeon Skinner, Asst. Surgeons Delavan and Matson, and Chap- 
lain Jarvis, all merit my thanks for their faithful care of our sick. 

To the various corps commanders, upon whose fronts our batteries 
have been placed, and especially to Brevet Major- General H. J. 
Hunt, Chief of Artillery, Army of the Potomac, under whose orders 
most of the regiment is now serving, we have every reason to be 
grateful. The latter, and Brevet Major-General W. F. Barry, for- 
merly Chief of Artillery, Army of the Potomac, have been our con- 
stant friends since the peninsular campaign, and have laid us under 
deep obligations. 

The following extract from a letter received from Major-General 
W. F. Smith, shortly after he left the Petersburg front, shows the 
estimation in which the regiment is held: 

"I saw much of the services of the 1st Conn. Artillery during the 
campaign of 1862, and was then delighted with the skill and gallantry 
of the officers and men. During the time I commanded the 18th 
corps before Petersburg, I called heavily upon you for siege guns and 
mortars, and never before during the war have I witnessed such artil- 
lery practice as I saw with your regiment. The practicability of 
holding my position there after the 21st of June, was due in a great 
measure to the skill displayed by your regiment. I trust every effort 
will be made to fill up a regiment which has not its equal in artillery 
firing, and which can not be dispensed with without great injury to 
the service." 

I am, General, 

Very respectfully your ob't serv't, 

HENRY L. ABBOT, 
Col. 1st Conn. Artillery, 
Brevet Brigadier- General Vols. 

Commanding. 



